The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

CAMPUS
Students union won’t settle for old wine in new bottle
Smriti Kak

STUDENT organisations seeking to win in the Delhi University Students Union elections have a challenging task ahead. Apart from churning out an innovative campaign strategy and candidates who will get them votes, this time they may also have to think of “new issues” to woo students.

A new faction of students who address themselves as the Indian National Students Organisation (INSO) have joined the “veterans” in the fray for this year’s DUSU elections.

The INSO activists claim to have donned the mantle considering the “failure of the past leaders” and the unfulfilled promises. “We have formed a party of like-minded students to not just expose the failure of the past leaders, but to help address the concerns of the students,” pointed out the spokesperson, A. Kapoor Chaudhary.

From what the INSO activists have to say, it seems the “established parties” will have to work hard on their manifestos. “These leaders have been raising the same old issues. For the last 10 years, we have been promised the same things, more U specials, safe campus, stopping the exploitation of the students...,” said Chaudhary.

He added, “if these issues are being raised again, it only implies that the leaders have failed to fulfil these promises, which they had raised as election issues in the past.”

The INSO, which boasts of support “in all colleges” in the city, “has the blessings and support of Haryana Chief Minister Om Prakash Chautala and Mr Ajay Chautala”. Though the party is yet to name the candidates for the DUSU elections, it is certain that with “students’ support and a justifiable issue” they are going to put up a tough fight.

NTU to conduct talent search examination

National Technological University (NTU), Raipur will conduct a nation-wide talent search examination for awarding the NTU Scholarships to students who have passed Class XII.

The university, established by the Chattisgarh Government for furthering technical education in the state, will offer a scholarship of Rs 10,000 per student.

The test would be conducted in over 50 centres across the country and students would be tested for their mathematical skills and aptitude and knowledge of general science. Students appearing for the test can choose three subjects from the given list of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology.

NTU has tied up with UK-based City and Guilds International for common evaluation of students in Engineering, Hotel Management and

Mass Media among other courses to prepare them for employment needs in over 70 nations and is also planning to create a nation-wide placement network.

IGNOU to set up Gandhian Studies Centre

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in collaboration with the Gandhi Smriti and Darshan Smriti (GS&DS) will set up an International Centre for Gandhian Studies and Research in the Capital.

Both IGNOU and GS&DS signed two memoranda of understanding to set up the centre for the development of education, training, research and extension in Gandhian Studies and act as a precursor towards the goal of convergence of conventional and distance education. The centre will offer various courses, including diploma, masters and PhD in Gandhian Studies.

Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has also announced signing a memorandum with Prasar Bharti to jointly develop programmes in the area of Audio Development and Radio Prasaran.

The programmes are aimed at training personnel working in AIR or those who wish to join the radio as a career. These professional programmes shall equip learners with skills and competence in the use of radio as a medium and tool for importing education.

IGNOU along with Prasar Bharti shall prepare such academic programmes, which shall make radio broadcasting more meaningful, beneficial, welfare and entertainment-oriented to play a key role in the educational system of the country.

Induction programme at TIAS

The Technia Institute of Advanced Studies, Rohini organised a two-day induction programme for its students. The programme was organised to help students acclimatise themselves to the college before they begin the new academic session later this month.

Padma Shree Prof Preetam Singh inaugurated the programme. Addressing the students, he said: “Vision, clarity, hard work and determination are the essential attributes for today’s future managers. Prospective corporates should have the clarity to make their dreams come true and be successful.”

Among those who attended the programme were Prof J. L. Batra, former Director, IIM, Lucknow and Dr K. R. Punia, IPS, AIMA.

NIIT’s scholarship test on Aug 24

NIIT has announced the 13th Bhavishya Jyoti Scholarships to reward meritorious students from modest financial background enrolling for computer programmes at the institute. Based on their performance in the all-India competitive written test followed by an interview, NIIT will award the students a fee waiver between 15 to 100 per cent. The test will be conducted on August 24.

“The idea behind the BJS is to attract meritorious students in the IT industry while helping financially challenged scholars to gain access to world IT education,” said Pradeep Narayanan, Head, NIIT Education Business in India.

NIIT has also tied up with the Rajiv Gandhi Proudyogiki Vishwavidyalaya, Madhya Pradesh to offer a four-year BTech degree programme. The alliance will allow DNII students from NIIT’s education network to pursue the university’s B Tech programme through distance learning and e-learning.

As part of the agreement, the university will provide the DNIIT students lateral entry in the fifth semester of the four-year programme. The students should have completed two years of diploma from NIIT after completing their 10+ 2.

Coaching for teachers

FIITJEE has announced a training programme for schoolteachers teaching mathematics, physics and chemistry. This will enable schoolteachers teaching the +2 students have an integrated approach for board, IIT JEE and other engineering exams.

Cong leaders come calling at NSUI camp

Congress president Sonia Gandhi being felicitated by NSUI president Ashok Tanwar at the camp.

The National Student’s Union of India (NSUI) organised a two-day training camp, ‘Drishticon’, for the district presidents. Senior Congress leaders including Ms Sonia Gandhi, Dr Manmohan Singh and Ms Sheila Dikshit attended the camp. While the former Finance Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, inaugurated the camp, Ms Gandhi spoke at the valedictory function.

Addressing the NSUI activists, Ms Gandhi stressed the need for fighting illiteracy and social evils like dowry. She also slammed the BJP-led government for what she alleged was the saffronisation of education.

National president of the NSUI Ashok Tanwar, addressing the students, said that NSUI activists would protest against the privatisation and communalisaton of education. TNS

Free classes for young artists

Uttam Nagar-based Delhi College of Art is going to organise free classes for promising but needy artists from August 15. According to the director of this institute, Mr Ashawani Kumar Prithaviwasi, it will be like a foundation course and all basic things related to this field like drawing, painting, sketching, oil colouring, mural, graphics, craft, canvas making, framing, exhibition and display will be taught. The eligibility is 10+2 in any discipline but it will be relaxable under special circumstances. “Our aim is to provide ample opportunities and a level-playing field to such talented and dedicated artists,” said Mr Prithaviwasi.

Nalini Ranjan